Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
“The Watcher,” America’s No. 1 film, isn’t the the only project where Keanu Reeves shuns top billing.
He’s been doing it for years in the rock band Dogstar. The star of “The Matrix” is very aware that his status as an actor will overpower anything that his formidable band Dogstar accomplishes.
If you think that cute guy you saw heading into Tempo last week looked a lot like Keanu Reeves, there’s a good chance that it was. Reeves has returned to Chicago to film “Hardball.” He first made his presence in the Windy City known four years ago when he shot “Chain Reaction.” You can bet that he’ll be out and about in the city this time around, too.
Let’s get this out in the open now: I am three times older and twice as tall as many of the ‘N Sync fans who attended the band’s sold-out show Tuesday night at the Route 66 Raceway in Joliet. I do not listen to their records at home. Nor do I own any of their collectible dolls, T-shirts or posters. But once or twice a year, when the Sun-Times sends me out to review their concerts, darned if I don’t end up having a good time.
It would be a fair assumption to say that the vocal male contingent at Britney Spears’ sold-out concert Wednesday night at Allstate Arena wanted her in a big way. Get in line buddies. The 18-year-old princess of pop is pen pals with Prince William and rumored to be setting up house with ‘N Sync hottie Justin Timberlake.
On their second album, “No Strings Attached,” the members of ‘N Sync get down and even a little dirty. But is that such a good idea? Do we really want to hear them shout out “Ho, ho, ho!” on the rambunctious “Just Got Paid,” and wonder if they’re repeating Santa’s mantra or are referring to that other kind of ‘ho?
Let’s face it. Few bands break up and produce better groups for their ex-members. Judging by the Gas Giants’ concert Friday night at the Park West – as well as their recently released debut album, “From Beyond the Back Burner” – they don’t look like they’re going to disprove this theory.
It was Cirque du Cher Friday night at the Allstate Arena. How else can you describe a concert that incorporated a theatrical stage setup with flying dancers and costumes worthy of “The Road Warrior” and “Les Miserables”?
If you closed your eyes and just listened to the voice, it was easy enough to imagine that you were at an Elvis Presley concert Saturday night at the Rosemont Theatre. Heck, even after you opened your eyes, the simulation by Presley stylist Trent Carlini was so good that it was difficult not to get caught up in the hysteria that permeated the concert.
The great thing for artists playing at these B-96 multibill shows is that the audience will scream for you no matter what. Heck, even the dancers performing at the B-96 Halloween Bash on Wednesday night at the Allstate Arena were getting the star treatment, posing for pictures and signing autographs. Of the eight acts, though, it was Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera–both former cast members of “The New Mickey Mouse Club”–who stood out.
Sure, its easy to make fun of the Backstreet Boys–especially if youre over the age of 17. But when things click just so–as they did Tuesday night at the Allstate Arena–the Backstreet Boys prove that they are the kings of the boy bands. At last year’s concert at the New World Music Theatre, the five-man group from Orlando, Fla., appeared dwarfed by the enormodome and was plagued by off-key harmonies.